Means for securing a device or parts thereof to flaps of a shoe

ABSTRACT

Flap attachment means form part of a means to secure an object or parts thereof to the flaps of a shoe where said means to secure device comprises a plurality of flap attachment means. The flap attachment means are secured at or near the edge of flap of shoe and arranged in a linear sequence along length of flap. Each flap attachment means is attached either directly or via intermediate attachment means to an elongate member which itself is securable to said device. A first flap attachment means comprises a lever whose axis of rotation is parallel to and proximally set apart at a fixed distance from a substantially planar surface. Projecting from lever is a protrusion which rotates towards planar surface as lever is rotated towards surface. When a portion of flap is placed between protrusion and surface the lever is rotated downwards and that portion of flap is compressed between protrusion and surface and kept in place by a pinning action of the protrusion which pins it between itself and surface. In another embodiment the protrusion acts on the upper surface of a flat member whose undersurface contains tooth like projections. Undersurface of flat member is rotatable towards the previously mentioned planar surface which in this embodiment also has tooth like projections and rotates thereto as lever is rotated towards planar surface and compresses or pins any portion of flap located between planar surface and undersurface of flat member and their respective tooth like projections.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention which is a continuation in part to U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,509 relates to means of attaching an object such as a shoe fastening device to the flaps of a shoe. In the original patent three flap attachment means were described for ultimately securing a device or another object to a shoe via its flaps. The first utilized the eyelets of a shoe to attach itself to shoe by bounding a the portion of flap surrounding the eyelet of the shoe between two planar surfaces where the terminal end of a peg like structure projecting from one of the surfaces passes through eyelet and securely engages the other surface. This attachment means is however rendered useless on a shoe that for example has loops instead of eyelets. The second utilizes loops on the flap of a shoe and comprised a small dumbbell like member which would be directed through a loop and whose ends which project past the edges of the loop would then both be secured to a support means causing a closed circuit to be formed with the loop effectively confined therein. Again like the first attachment means this one is however rendered useless on flaps without loops. The third flap attachment means which is certainly the most versatile of the three and which could be used by itself directly utilizes the flaps of a shoe and is not restricted to use depending on whether or not eyelets or loops are present, and operates by using the force or pressure generated perpendicularly by pointed terminal ends of peg like structures against a portion of shoe flap while vying with that portion of flap for the same space between two proximal and facing planar surfaces thereby effectively pinning portion of flap against one of the surfaces.

[0002] The present invention introduces flap attachment means also versatile enough to be used alone, or in combination with any other flap attachment means including those of, and others not from, the original patent in any number of combinations, and can because of the leverage generated when operated be easier to secure and release than the third flap attachment means described in the previous paragraph.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved flap attachment means which effects rapid securement and loosening of shoe with one contiguous motion.

[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved flap attachment means that is versatile enough to be used on any shoe with flaps regardless of the type of lacing means on shoe.

[0005] A further object of the present invention is to provide new and improved flap attachment means that is durable and reliable in construction and in particular more durable than conventional lacing systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an elongate members with slidable bearings and intermediate attachment means to which flap attachment means will be secured to.

[0007]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a flap attachment means secured to an intermediate attachment means with slidable bearing

[0008]FIGS. 3 and 4 are profile views of the first embodiment of the device with the actuating lever in upwardly and downwardly rotated positions respectively.

[0009]FIGS. 5 and 6 are closeup isometric views of the first embodiment of the device showing the U-spring catches in their natural relaxed state and when directed back respectively.

[0010]FIG. 7 is an isometric view showing the device in combination with two of the flap attachment means of the original patent.

[0011]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a flap attachment means secured to an intermediate attachment means with slidable bearing.

[0012]FIGS. 9 and 10 are profile views of the alternative embodiment of the device with the actuating lever in upwardly and downwardly rotated positions respectively.

[0013]FIG. 11 is a closeup isometric view of the alternative embodiment of the device less a side wall and exposing the axle of its elongate flat member.

DESCRIPTION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT OF DEVICE

[0014] Since the longitudinally extendable and retractable elongate members with intermediate attachment means one of which is shown in FIG. 1 were already described in detail in the original patent only a brief recap without reference numerals will be given here followed by a more detailed description of the flap attachment means. Part of a total securement means shown in FIG. 1 comprises an elongate member comprising three shorter elongate segments which allow it to telescopically extend and retract. Located on either extremity of elongate member with two on the shorter mid segment are circular or ring like bearings totalling four, and secured to each bearing is an elongated member with a linear series of holes located therein and is referred to in the original patent as an intermediate attachment means each which in this case is pivotably secured to its respective bearing. The bearings may or may not be slidable along the length of the elongate member and in the case where they are not slidable may be integrated into the segment to which it is secured in which case the bearing is to be considered the portion of elongate member something is secured to, for example the intermediate attachment means. Also even though the elongate member is telescopically extendable or retractable it can achieve these states in non telescoping manner. Finally secured or securable to the intermediate attachment means is a flap attachment means, which will now be described. With reference to FIG. 2 a flap attachment means comprises to fundamentally planar portions 2 and 4 where portion 2 is an actuating lever pivotable towards and away from portion 4 about an axle parallel to the plane defined by 4. As seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 the axle of rotation of 2 is proximally set at a fixed distance from 4. At the end of 2 closer to its axle of rotation is an elongated protrusion 6 defining a sharp elongated edge 7 where the longitudinal axis of protrusion 6 and the length of edge 7 are both parallel to the axle of rotation of 2. It is to be noted that even though not shown more than one elongated protrusion edge may project from 2 and edges may be toothed similarly to edges 24 and 25 of the second embodiment in FIG. 8 or differently including being pointed like cones or arrayed rectangularly or randomly, and should not be limited to the artwork shown. Also the end of 2 furthest from its axle may also be downwardly toothed similar to edge 24 in FIG. 8. Furthermore the entire or any portion of upper surface of member 4 may be toothed or perhaps the end of 4 similar to that shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11. Near either side of 2 close to its axle lies hook members 8 and 10, FIG. 5. Located on either side of a mount-piece 5 which is another planar portion on which 2 is pivotably mounted and which is itself secured to 4 via a portion 3 are catch members 12 and 14 each corresponding to a respective hook member and each respectively secured to U-springs 16 and 18 illustrated in FIG. 6 which forms a lever lock and release mechanism. This attachment means, although unnecessary, due to its versatility can be combined with other flap attachment means as can be seen in FIG. 7 where it is combined with two of the flap attachment means of the original patent.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT

[0015] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 with the actuating lever 2 in an upwardly rotated position a portion of flap is slid or directed inward between planar member 4 and elongated protrusion 6 beyond edge 7. Actuating lever 2 is then rotated downwards as seen in FIG. 4 and as this occurs the simultaneously rotating edge 7 pushes down into the fabric of the flap effectively hooking into it and as rotation continues directs it more inwards. As rotation occurs edge 7 rotates closer and closer to the upper surface of 4 and the flap gets more and more compressed between 7 and planar member 4 causing increasing opposing force to be generated thereby requiring increasing rotational force to be applied to maintain downward rotation of lever. As rotation continues, and just after the sharp edge of 6 reaches the point where it is closest to upper surface of 4, the force required for rotation is virtually nil due to the fact that the opposing forces generated by the material of the flap trying to decompress it and return it to its natural state actually assist in directing edge 7 away from the flap. At this point of over-rotation the actuating lever becomes naturally locked into place in the position seen in FIG. 4 as the forces of decompression urge protrusion 6 and lever 2 to rotate in a direction opposite of that needed to release the device. The lever lock and release mechanism formed by hook members 8 and 10 and catch members 12 and 14 ensures that a strong inadvertent sudden force does not cause over-rotation in the direction causing lever 2 to rotate upwards or cause flap to be directed outwards from between 4 and 6 consequently releasing device. As lever 2 is rotated downwards the upper curved surfaces of hook members 8 and 10 push against the curved undersurfaces of catch members 12 and 14 respectively which due to the flexibility of U-springs to which they are attached are directed back to a position as seen in FIG. 6 allowing for the upward rotation of 8 and 10 and of course simultaneously the downward rotation of 2 to take place. Members 12 and 14 can also be directed back to the position as seen in FIG. 6 manually. Once the planar undersurfaces of 8 and 10 rotate above the upper planar surfaces of 12 and 14, members 12 and 14 revert back to their natural position as seen in FIG. 5, thus preventing the downward rotation of 8 and 10 and consequently the upward rotation of 2. To allow for the upward rotation of 2 members 12 and 14 must directed back manually.

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT OF FLAP ATTACHMENT MECHANISM

[0016] A alternative flap attachment means very similar to the one previously described can be seen in FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 with the main exception being that instead of member 6 directly pressing against a portion of flap as in the previous embodiment, it presses down against the upper surface of an intermediary portion 20 as seen in FIG. 8 which is a substantially flat elongate member. Member 20 defines substantially parallel upper and undersurfaces and whose undersurfaces for the most part face the upper surface of 4. One end of 20 is pivotably secured near back portion 3 of device so as to allow it to rotate in a manner similar to lever 2. On the other end of 20 is located downward facing tooth like projections 24. Also on the front end of member 4 in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 10 are upwardly facing tooth like projections 25. Located between an undersurface of 20 and upper surface of 4 is a U-spring 22 , FIG. 11, which continually urges said surfaces away from each other so that the user does not have to attempt to pry members 4 and 20 away from each other. The only other difference between this embodiment of the device and the previously described embodiment are symmetrically positioned walls in device in which openings to support the axle about which rotation of 20 exist, and which are located near portion 3. FIG. 8 illustrates one of the walls 28. Also FIG. 11 shows device without wall 28 exposing part of the axle 30 about which 20 rotates. It should be pointed out that the arrangement or shape of the teeth located on the ends of 20 and 4 can vary and are not limited only to what is illustrated in the current art and can be pointed like cones or can be arrayed rectangularly, randomly and not necessarily in a straight line as shown, and the entire upper surface of 4 and/or undersurface of 20 or any portions thereof may be toothed.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT OF FLAP ATTACHMENT MEANS

[0017] This embodiment operates similarly to the first, except that the portion of flap is placed between undersurface of 20 and upper surface of 4 as seen in FIG. 9. Lever 2 is then rotated downwards and elongate projection 6 presses against upper surface of 20 causing 20 to rotate downwards to the position seen in FIG. 10 at which point the portion of flap between 20 and 4 is compressed. Also the teeth located at edges 24 and 25 are sunk into the material of the flap effectively hooking themselves therein preventing slippage of flaps from out between 4 and 20. Furthermore like the previous embodiment this lever 2 can over-rotate thereby causing the opposing forces generated by the flap material in its attempt to decompress to keep the lever in a locked state as seen in FIG. 10. Also in this embodiment is a lever lock and release mechanism comprising hooks and catches similar to members 8, 10, 12, and 14 of the first embodiment to allow rotation in only one direction unless manually released. 

Pursuant to the above I claim:
 1. A means to secure an object to a flap of a shoe comprising, an elongate member with at least two bearings secured thereupon, and elongate intermediate attachment means each securable to said bearings, and flap attachment means securable to said intermediate attachment means and where a said flap attachment means is defined as any device securable to a flap of a shoe and to said intermediate attachment means.
 2. The device claim 1 where position of said flap attachment means along length of said intermediate attachment means is variable.
 3. The device of claim 1 where securement of said attachment means to said intermediate attachment means is pivotable.
 4. The device of claim 1 where securement of said intermediate attachment means to said bearings is pivotable.
 5. The device of claim 1 where said bearings are slidable along the length of said elongate members.
 6. The device of claim 1 where said elongate members are longitudinally extendable and retractable.
 7. The device of claim 1 where said flap attachment means comprises a substantially planar surface, an actuating lever defining an axis of rotation parallel to said surface and set apart at a proximal distance thereto, and at least one protrusion projecting from lever near said axis.
 8. The device of claim 7 having a substantially flat member located between said surface and said lever and defining an axis of rotation parallel to said surface.
 9. The device of claim 7 where said protrusion defines at least one sharp or jagged tooth like edge.
 10. The device of claim 7 where located on said surface is at least one tooth like projection.
 11. The device of claim 7 where said surface defines at least one edge with at least one tooth like projection located thereto.
 12. The device of claim 7 having a lever lock and release mechanism.
 13. The device of claim 8 where said flat member defines an undersurface substantially facing said surface on which is located tooth like projections.
 14. The device of claim 8 where said flat member defines at least one edge with at least one tooth like projection located thereto. 